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Steering Wheels

No offense, but stock UTV steering wheels offer a particularly glaring example of prioritizing cost over ergonomics. The simpler designs and uncomfortable material may not seem like a big deal at first, but over time, a subpar steering wheel can and will wear on you and affect your experience. Thankfully, Side by Side Source is here with a complete range of aftermarket UTV steering wheels, featuring far improved grip and comfort, D-shaped and flat-bottom designs (among others), and much more. Whether you’re a casual tooler or a menace on the track, we’ve got the whole UTV aftermarket steering wheel spectrum covered!
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Buyer's Guide for UTV Steering Wheels: Helping You Shop!

Why UTV Steering Wheel Diameter Matters More Than You Think

Wheel diameter fundamentally affects steering feel and the effort required to turn. Smaller diameter wheels (typically 280-320mm, roughly 11-12.5 inches) provide quicker steering response, which means less rotation required to turn wheels through their range. They're popular in racing applications where fast directional changes matter and power steering reduces effort concerns. 

On the other hand, when you’re working with a chunkier wheel, you’ll get the added advantage of greater leverage. You won’t have to muscle the wheel is hard, in other words, and you’ll get that stability at even higher speeds. These are especially helpful for folks who ride with non-power-assisted machines. 

In most cases, stock wheels fall in the medium range diameter-wise. When upgrading, we recommend not jumping up (or dropping down) too drastically in size, but simply getting a feel for how much smoother and easier an upgraded UTV steering wheel of a similar size is. 

D-Shaped and Flat-Bottom UTV Steering Wheel Designs: What’s the Difference?

Round wheels (traditional circular shape) provide a consistent grip diameter all around the wheel. You can grip anywhere with identical feel and leverage. They're familiar and work well for all applications. 

D-shaped wheels (flattened on the bottom, rounded on top) create more leg room by positioning the bottom of the wheel closer to the dash/floor. The flat bottom provides clearance for long legs in tight cockpits while maintaining full grip diameter at top and sides, where you primarily hold during spirited driving. They're popular in racing and sports applications.

Flat-bottom benefits are most noticeable in tight cockpits or for tall drivers. The extra 1-2 inches of clearance makes getting in/out easier and prevents knees from hitting the wheel. For casual driving where you holdthe  bottom of the wheel frequently, flat-bottom designs might feel unusual initially. 

Dish or offset: Some racing wheels include a dish (the wheel face positions further toward the dash or driver relative to the mounting hub), affecting how far the wheel sits from your body. More dish brings the wheel closer, less dish pushes it away. This is subtle but affects comfort. Verify the dish works with your seating position before buying.

UTV Steering Wheel Hub Adapters and Quick-Release Systems

You’ll need an adapter, and yes, model-specific is generally the way to go. They typically using stock mounting hardware or similar. They provide secure mounting and maintain proper airbag disablement (if removing airbag-equipped wheels—note that removing safety equipment has implications). 

Universal adapters attempt to work across multiple machines using various mounting methods—they work, but fitment and security might not equal model-specific options.

Quick-release hubs allow removing steering wheels in seconds by pulling a lever or turning a collar—popular in racing (faster egress during emergencies) and for theft deterrence (take your wheel when parking).

Whatever you end up going with, make sure your adapter includes proper hardware and instructions—some require additional components.

3 Top Selling Steering Wheel Brands

  1. PRP Seats manufactures quality steering wheels, including their popular suede-wrapped and competition designs proven in racing.
  2. Pro Armor produces steering wheels designed specifically for UTV applications with proper sizing and materials.
  3. Geiser Performance offers premium steering wheels with race-proven designs and quality construction.

5 Top Selling Steering Wheel Products

  1. Honda Pioneer/Talon owners get model-specific fit with this Formula Steering Wheel by Pro Armor, designed for Pioneer and Talon applications.
  2. Kawasaki Mule/Teryx fitment comes with this Steering Wheel Billet Hub Adapter by DRT Motorsports, providing the mounting interface for aftermarket wheels.
  3. Premium grip and flat-bottom design define this Flat Steering Wheel Suede by PRP Seats, featuring maximum grip suede wrapping.
  4. Competition-proven design arrives with this New Glory Comp R Steering Wheel by PRP Seats, engineered for racing and aggressive recreational riding.
  5. This Steering Wheel by Geiser Performance brings a race-inspired design and super high-quality materials to the table for an experience you’ll never get tired of.

Aftermarket Side-by-Side Steering Wheel FAQs

Will a new steering wheel (with a new diameter) change my steering?

Steering wheel diameter only affects leverage. It doesn't change your machine's actual steering ratio (how much the steering rack moves per rotation, or steering box ratio). Smaller diameter wheels require more physical effort to turn at low speeds or in high-load situations (big tires, no power steering, heavy machines) because you have less leverage. The steering ratio is unchanged—you're just applying force with a shorter lever. Larger diameter wheels reduce effort through increased leverage. If you have power steering,the  diameter affects effort minimally since hydraulics do the work. For non-power-assisted machines, changing the diameter noticeably affects effort—go smaller only if your machine has power steering or you want a workout, go larger if stock effort is already high.

Can I use a “regular” (for cars) steering wheel?

With the right adapter, sure, but you may not get the performance you need.

I’ve taken off an airbag-equipped steering wheel, so what now?

Disconnecting the airbag creates fault codes in your system, potentially illuminating warning lights. Some machines require airbag simulator resistors (devices that mimic airbag electrical resistance) plugged into airbag connectors to prevent fault codes. On machines where airbag disablement isn't supported, you'll have permanent warning lights. Check forums or manufacturer documentation for your specific model before removing airbag wheels.